Abstract
Lateral flow assays as point-of-care devices have attracted interest due to their advantages including low costs, easy operation by non-specialized users and low analyte volumes needed. These advantages make lateral flow assays to superior tools for the on-site detection of analytes with qualitative or semi-quantitative results within minutes. Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid oligomers with distinct conformational shapes that can bind their corresponding targets via molecular recognition. Due to their specific properties like an efficient chemical synthesis, a longer shelf life and easy introduction of modifications aptamers seem to be ideal biological recognition elements. Moreover, they enable the design of intelligent detection schemes not available with antibodies. This review focuses on lateral flow assays utilizing aptamers as an element for molecular recognition. In the first part of the review, a brief overview on lateral flow assays and aptamers, regarding their generation and properties, will be given. In the second part, a review of recently published literature on this topic will demonstrate the broad spectrum of possible applications and analytes, detectable with aptamer-based lateral flow assays.
Highlights
Introduction to the detection of proteinsThe success of Lateral flow assays (LFAs) began with the development of the pregnancy immunoassay in the 1960s, which is still one of the major LFAs on the market [79]
This review focuses on lateral flow assays utilizing aptamers as an element for molecular recognition
The examples given in this article demonstrate that different design strategies render aptamer-based LFAs to powerful tools for POC diagnostics and environmental monitoring
Summary
The reliable detection of contaminants in food and of toxins, hormones, proteins, etc. in biological samples is crucial to assess and reduce risks for the human health. The major obstacles in monitoring and controlling these parameters remain the lack of infrastructure, shortages in trained personnel and increase in healthcare associated infections, especially in developing countries [1]. Difficulties can arise from the potential for either false negative results due to the hook effect, where a high concentration of target prevents a proper signal generation, or false positive results due to non-specific binding to the LFA [2]. Multiplexed sensing of several analytes on one LFA is still not trivial Despite these drawbacks, LFAs represent powerful tools that can detect almost any analyte, such as proteins [3,4], toxins [5], hormones [6], ions [7] and even whole cells or viruses [8]. Intensive research focused on the development of new types of LFAs and some of the more recent examples are reviewed below
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
